Portrait of a Man

At the turn of the 19th century, when Vilnius University (then called the Vilnius Higher School or Academy) started teaching art, a number of young men enrolled to study painting or drawing, but unfortunately only a few of them found broader acclaim. The names of most of the first students in the department of art have been forgotten, owing to the absence of any surviving works. There are rare instances when works by little-known graduates of Vilnius’ School of Art are discovered and added to the list. This portrait is one such important find. Michał Wichrowski (ca. 1780–?) was listed as a student in the Drawing and Painting Department in 1798–1802, so he was one of the first students of Franciszek Smuglewicz and Jan Rustem. Documents show that he was a nobleman from the Vilnius district, the son of Hieronim Wichrowski. He enrolled at the age of 18, prior to which he was taught at home, and attended a Vilnius district school for two years. During his studies, he was supported first by his parents, and from 1801 he supported himself. It is not known when he died: he might have been the nobleman Michał Wichrowski who died in Paberžė in 1813. Portrait of a man is so far the only known work by Michał Wichrowski, and was created during his study years. The slightly tense pose of the sitter betrays poor technique on the part of the artist. However, he managed to convey the elegance and dignity of the man, as well as the fashionable dress which points to his social status. It may be a self-portrait. Text author Rūta Janonienė.